Ghana Armed Forces

The Ghana Military Academy [GMA] has officially inducted 53 cadets of Standard Military Course [SMC] and 53 Short Service Commission and Special Duties [SSC/SD] Intake 49 into the Ghana Armed Forces after a short  religious service at the Officer Cadet’s Mess in Teshie, Accra on Sunday 14 February 2010.

Apart from being part of the moral training of cadets, the non-denominational service is held to commit cadets into the hands of God for commencement of the training and career in the profession of arms on the arrival of each intake to the GMA.

In his address, Brigadier General David Kojo Kattah [rtd] underscore the need for the cadets to bear in mind that their training is structured to instill in them the essential qualities of discipline, sense of duty, humility as well as the physical and mental robustness required to face the challenges of the military profession.

‘’The training will therefore challenge your endurance and mental fortitude’’, he said.

Brig Gen Kattah [rtd] reminded the cadets to take pride in the fact that, the GMA has over the years produced many officers who have distinguished themselves in their various assignments both at home and on external operations which eventually have brought honours and glory to our dear nation.

He challenged the cadets to be devoted to duty and be loyal to the nation as the profession they have chosen is a call to service.

He admonished the cadets to resist the temptation of cutting corners but rather be diligent and apply them serves assiduously.

‘’As a former commander of this institution, I have confidence in the standards of the Academy and in the instructors selected to train you. The ball therefore is in your court to prove yourselves worthy of receiving the Presidential Commission’’, he emphasized.

Earlier, the officiating clergy, Lt Col Alfred Hammond who is also the Deputy Director of Religious Affairs and Senior Chaplain of the Presbyterian Church at the Military Academy and Training Schools (MATS) asked the cadets to realize that the ethics of the profession are indeed God-centered and akin to the golden rule which demand that “you do unto others what you want them to do unto you”.

Lt Col Hammond advised the cadets to believe in the power of God and always seek God for direction and favour.

“You should also establish a good relationship with God and he will make your life meaningful”, he reiterated.

In an interview with the press, the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Ghana Military Academy (GMA), Brig Gen Obed Akwa said the duration of the course is twenty-two (22) months for the regular and eight (8) months for short service.

He said some of the training programmes the cadets would be going through are Drill, Field Craft, Ability to Communicate on Radio, Communication Studies, English Literature, Weapon Handling, Map Reading, Physical Training among others.